Paraguay's President Peña Impeached Over Banking Scandal Tied to Political-Finance Collusion
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña was impeached and removed from office Friday night by the Senate over a banking scandal that left millions of depositors unable to access their funds. Vice President Pedro Alliana was sworn in as his successor. Peña, 47, was placed under house arrest and will be questioned Saturday on suspicion of breach of trust, influence peddling, and personal mismanagement. The unanimous Senate vote followed protests outside Parliament, where crowds celebrated the decision and demanded his imprisonment. The former IMF economist, once backed by regional right-wing leaders and allied with Donald Trump, was abandoned by his own Colorado Party and mentor, ex-President Horacio Cartes. His term was set to end in 2028.